A Toast to Me!

Adversity is one of those things that builds character.  It tests our boundaries and takes us back to those basic rules we all learned in kindergarten.  You know – those little tiffs out on the playground with the school bully? He/She says something mean to me or pushes me.   Do I fight back?  Do I sit back and watch?  Do I act?  or do I react?

I’ve fought back, actually pulled little Penny’s braid right out of her hair one day out on the playground when she made fun of the dress I was wearing in 1st grade.  I didn’t even get in trouble.  I think the teacher was so surprised that she really wasn’t sure what to do.  That marked the end of my fighting days — because I felt bad – and yet I felt better.  Hmm, a dichotomy if I ever heard of one.

I’ve sat back an said nothing.  Actually watched a classmate pass out after the wind was knocked out of him by another in the 3rd grade.  When asked about it, I said.. well nothing.  I felt mad, but then again, I was relieved that I wasn’t being asked anymore questions. Another dichotomy.

Amazingly enough everytime I am presented with adversity, I have to stop and decide my course of action.  Fortunately for me, each experience teaches me some type of valuable life lesson.  They have helped, and continue to elp,  me become the person I am.  Truth be told, I don’t like adversity, but I do appreciate learning from it.  Hmm, would that be considered yet another dichotomy?

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